Aged to perfection: Maurice (III) Hennessy on heritage, the timeless appeal of Hennessy cognac and a life well-lived.
Text by: Stephanie Zheng
There are names that transcend time, weaving themselves into the very fabric of luxury and heritage, and Hennessy is one of them. For over 250 years, the House of Hennessy has shaped the world of cognac, not just as a spirit but as a living testament to craftsmanship, history, and evolution. At the heart of it at this time is Maurice Hennessy, the 8th-generation heir, who carries legacy with effortless charm and a storyteller’s grace.
If you could sit down with one of your ancestors from the Hennessy family, what would you ask them?
Depends which one. They all did things which are important. My favourite at this time would be my grandfather because I’ve done that [spoken to him], and of course, I regret having forgotten to ask him some things. Or maybe I forgot what he told me. But he lived most of the 20th century with Hennessy, or at least a very big half of it.
Hennessy The First, was fascinating, too. He protected the cognac very much because some naughty foreigners wanted to make cognac with non-cognac words. So Maurice Hennessy was very adamant, and there are letters which were written in those times by Hennessy, saying that cognac is made with the local wine from the cognac region and double distilled, etc. There was no way we were to accept these offers of brandy coming from anywhere.
[Then, there’s] James Hennessy… why did he create VSOP? Why did he elect Mr. Jean Fillioux as a master blender, not realising that later, we would have the eighth generation of master blenders?They are all fascinating.
What is one family tradition or story tied to Hennessy that still resonates with you today?
I like the story of the XO. Maurice I was entertaining a lot. He had a home, which is now a hotel in Paris called La Clé des Champs. And he had his own cognac made because he was Mr Hennessy, and he could have whatever he wanted from the House of Hennessy.
Guests would ask for it, and Maurice I would tell them, “This is my cognac – it’s not for sale. I have it made in small quantities just for my own dining room.” But as demand grew, he saw an opportunity.
He spoke to the Fillioux – it was Émile Fillioux at the time – and they devised a cognac which was to become XO. The name was simply ‘Extra Old’ because that’s what it was.
And for a hundred years, no one else could make something called XO. That was my great-grandfather’s legacy.
You’ve travelled to many corners of the world. Is there a particular moment or encounter that really solidified your love for what you do?
People think I travel the world drinking cognac all day. But it’s work — early mornings, late nights, countless conversations. But if you love what you do, it never feels like work.
Every country has its charm. When you see a place like Singapore, and then you see Cognac, they are worlds apart. If you had one building half the size of what’s here, it would be taller than the church! The contrast is fascinating. (And ultimately) it’s not just about the drink, it’s about the connections it creates.
Sustainability is a growing focus in the spirits industry. What role does Hennessy play in driving change?
The land is everything. Without it, there is no cognac. The bees tell us everything. If they thrive, we know we’re doing something right.
Two years ago, I lost nine beehives out of 10. Last year, I managed to put traps, and I didn’t lose a single one. This year, I’m expanding my hives again. It’s about learning, adapting, and working with nature, not against it.
Hennessy has been around for centuries. How do you ensure it remains relevant today?
Hard work. Cognac has been in Asia since the 1870s, even earlier in some cases. It’s not a new product. But maintaining its presence, keeping it relevant, takes effort.
My grandfather entertained international guests in Cognac when there were no luxury hotels. They would stay at home, and it was normal to speak English at dinner. Today, the world is more connected than ever, and that same spirit of hospitality remains.
At the end of the day, cognac is about pleasure. There are no rules, just good company, good conversation, and a good glass of Hennessy.
